bicycle rack, roof mounted

[jack daniels]

Our kids are growing and their bicycles no longer fit in the car with all the baggage. Removing and refitting 8 wheels from 4 bikes is a bit time consuming so Im hoping to find something roof-mounted for 2 or 3 bikes and then put the remaining 1 or 2 bikes on the towbar holder.
   does anyone have any experience of any roof mounted bike holders for Espace III?

[Martin Tyas]

When my kids were younger and we were carrying around bikes I got an American made 4-bike rack for the tailgate. It's a Hollywood F4 that is designed for SUV's and what they call Minivans ~ or MPV's as they are known here in the UK.

I paid about GBP 70 for it at the time but I just looked on the US web site and they are still made and cost USD 139. But they have European distributors and resellers. At that price they are a lot less expensive than buying 4 Thule bike racks for the roof and depending which model you go for the front wheel still has to be removed. Also they don't hit the fuel consumption as hard as carrying bikes on the roof.

They fold down almost flat when not in use and so easy to store without taking up too much garage space.

Just a thought as an alternative that may be of interest.

Martin

[jack daniels]

thanks for the tip.
 Im hoping to fit Thule 591 roof mounted carriers however the Espace IIIs factory aero style bar is just a shade too wide for the standard Thule clamps so I plan to make or buy some other type of clamp. A specialy formed U-bolt will do the job but make fitting and removing the racks a bit more time consuming.

[colin4255]

and the bars themselves are hollow and very easy to crush if you are not careful!!  Renault did make special bar shaped clamps you attach thule boxes etc to.

[mawds]

mine has the thule 591's on and it seems OK and sturdy enough with the std clamps. I also got the proper rear mounting 3 bike carrier with it that bolts into the roof rails. Have taken it off for now as it's quite heavy to open the tail for everyday use!

[Matra_Hans]

If anyone still needs an original Matra bike carrier for their Espace there is on for sale on German Ebay:

Heckfahrradträger Renault Espace III für 3 Räder
http://www.ebay.de/itm/180726586961?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

But you need to be quick as the auction ends Sunday nigth, but I think that you can get it cheap as there has been only one bid at 1 Euro so far.

Hans